Transition Podcast: Rachel & Richard Risdon on grass-based dairying in Devon
© Emily Fleur In this episode of the Farmers Weekly Transition Podcast, Rachel and Richard Risdon talk about their grass-based dairy enterprise.
The couple run a grass-based herd of 300 Friesian cross Jersey dairy cows at Bramford Speke, near Exeter, Devon.
See also: Reducing emissions is major goal for dairy transition farmers
The herd is rotationally grazed and yield about 4,900 litres and 452kg of milk solids from about 650kg of concentrate.
Grass is topped up with cake when necessary, focusing on having cows out grazing from calving in February until late November.
The Farmers Weekly Transition project aims to help farmers secure a sustainable future for their farm business.
Rachel and Richard have three main goals: reducing their carbon footprint, understanding new agri-environment schemes, and recruiting good staff.
More episodes of the Farmers Weekly Transition Podcast are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – as well as other podcast platforms.
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During the series we follow our group of 16 Transition Farmers through the challenges and opportunities as they seek to improve their farm businesses.
Transition is an independent editorial initiative supported by our UK-wide network of partners, who have made it possible to bring you this series.
Visit the Transition content hub to find out more.
